Thyolo

Thyolo (pronounced “Cho-lo”) is situated about halfway between Mulanje and Blantyre which offers one of the prettiest drives in Malawi and is the tea capital of Malawi.

The climate in Thyolo is perfect for growing tea and the first trees were imported from India during the days of the Nyasaland Protectorate and tea has become one of the biggest industries in Malawi providing employment opportunities for many of the local people.

Today there are a number of famous tea growing estates in the area, and various estates are open to the public. Tours give visitors a chance to learn more about the various types of tea and how they are produced. Tea tastings are an enjoyable and popular part of these tours.

The main tourist focus in the Thyolo area is Satemwa Tea Estate, which was one of the first European land claims registered in Malawi, dating back to 1874, and has been in the same family since 1923, when it was acquired by Maclean Kay, a rubber planter from Mayala.

Peter Mutharika (Fifth President of Malawi)

Getting there and away

Most buses along the M2 between Blantyre and Mulanje stop at Thyolo. Far quicker than buses are the minibuses and other matolas that run directly between Limbe bus station and Thyolo. The entrance to Satemwa Tea Estate is clearly signposted about 2km from Thyolo town centre along the main road to Blantyre, and it’s about 5km from the entrance gate to the accommodation.